5 Steps To Weather Stripping And Caulking Your Home For Cold Weather

16 December 2014

Marvin Simmons

Winterizing your home with weather stripping and caulk not only keeps those cold, uncomfortable drafts out; it can also substantially reduce your energy bill. These five easy steps will have your home caulked, weather stripped and more efficient in no time:

1. Finding Air Breaches

First, examine your home for leaks, holes and gaps that need to be addressed. In addition to reducing your energy efficiency, these openings may also be letting in insects and rainwater. Light a stick of incense and walk around your home near walls and corners. Wherever you see smoke from the incense stick start to move, there's probably an air leak. Pay particular attention to areas where different types of building materials are joined, as they can settle over time.

Even a new home can have air leaks. A local HVAC service company can do a thorough inspection of your home for places where heat can escape and pests can get into your house.

2. Caulk Larger Gaps

The largest cracks and holes as well as gaps around vents and pipes should be addressed with a caulking seal; use a tube of caulk and a caulking gun to take care of it. Insert your caulk tube into the gun, cut the end of the tube off with tin snips or a utility knife, and puncture the tube's inner membrane. Press the gun's trigger/lever to squeeze caulk into the offending cracks, gaps, holes and other large air breaches.

3. Ideal Window Seals: Adhesive Foam Weather Stripping

Weather stripping that has foam as its central component is highly effective and durable; it is also a breeze to install. Simply unroll it to the desired length and cut as needed for your window size. Stick the adhesive side to your target window section to be sealed, peel off the liner, and affix the weather stripping for a snug fit to your window.

4. Sealing Your Doors: Compression Weather Stripping

This type of seal is more rugged than adhesive foam, making it ideal for weather stripping around your front and back entry doors. Use a pair of heavy shop scissors or tin snips or to slice the stripping to the required length, then nail it into place using short nails and a hammer.

5. Addressing Large Door Gaps: Vinyl Insert Weather Stripping

For bigger, wider door gaps, opt for weather stripping that has vinyl inserts. Install as described in #4.

A more energy-efficient home is within your reach. Use these five steps to save on winter heating costs while also reducing your carbon footprint on the planet. (For more information on HVAC, contact Coral Home Comfort or another company)